Spurs striker link gets diplomatic response from Charlton manager

CHARLTON boss Chris Powell believes reports linking the Addicks with a move for Tottenham youngster Jonathan Obika and various other strikers are inevitable.

Powell allowed Bradley Wright-Phillips to join League One side Brentford on loan earlier in the week and a national newspaper today claimed Obika, who has already had loan spells with Millwall and Palace, is being lined up as his replacement.

The Addicks chief said: “He’s a player I know of.

“He’s at Spurs and I’ve been to a few Spurs games, so maybe people are linking that?

“I’m sure people and agents will look at it and see that a striker has gone out, so we’re going to have one or two strikers linked with us.

“We’ll have to wait and see.

“It hasn’t been easy in that respect this season with trying to bring players in.

“People will always try and get our players, but I need a squad here.

“I need to make sure we’re not short.”

On Wright-Phillips’ exit, Powell added: “Bradley has been fantastic for me, he was my very first signing but he hasn’t played too many games and sadly he has only scored the one goal in our first home game.

“He’s had opportunities.

“I try to make sure they all have opportunities to play because you want to make sure these players are used to playing at this level and can adapt to playing at this level.

“Recently he hasn’t had too many chances.

“He’s gone until the end of the season, but I can call him back after 28 days.

“It may work both ways, he may get some game time and his confidence may be up through scoring some goals at that level.